The Longest Day–EVER!!!!!

We’ve all had days we thought would never end, but yesterday, October 5, 2022, was definitely the longest day of my life. My husband underwent what’s called an AAA repair. It makes him sound like a car with a flat tire, but it’s actually Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm surgery. Luckily, they discovered he had one when they put stents in his heart eight years ago. They’ve been watching it and decided that it had grown large enough, and it was time to do something about it. The joy of Canadian medicine is that all those medical processes cost us nothing. They are paid for in our taxes, and while some might complain about it, knowing you can get the best of care when and where you need it is priceless. Kudos to the surgeons and nurses at the Ottawa Hospital, Civic Campus for taking such good care of him.

We showed up at the hospital at 5:45 a.m. By 6:20, he was on his way to pre-op, and I was on my way back to the hotel where I’m staying and getting a little work done in between hospital visits. It made more sense to do that than to spend two to three hours on the road driving back and forth each day. From where I am, I can walk to the hospital in twenty minutes.

There’s something unique about a crisp morning walk during sunrise. I usually wait until it’s light out, but the muted colors in the sky were soothing and calming. By the time I got back to the room, I was in pretty good shape and able to tackle working on my new book … not quite. My brain started ticking off the minutes. I knew his surgery was scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. and end at 1:50 p.m. That was a long time to be under anesthesia, but the surgeon had said that his heart and lungs were good. All I had to do was pray and believe that would be true.

I have never had such a slow and unproductive morning, unable to focus, forgetting what I’d written within seconds of doing so. The many messages of hugs and prayers from friends kept my spirits up. My sister-in-law and her friend had come to Ottawa to be at my disposal. I can never thank Marilyn and Donna enough for their support. I went out to get some lunch, ate, and then settled down to wait. When the phone rang at 2:15, my stomach rose to my mouth. I was shaking so hard, I had trouble sliding the button to answer.

It was great news. The surgery had gone well and he was in recovery. I was to call ICU in a few hours. After a good cry, I messaged and called family and friends, and then Donna and Marilyn took me for a walk to admire the fall colors.

After I got back to the hotel, I contacted ICU and was thrilled to hear that he was awake and talking. The nurse suggested I visit in the evening which I did. There’s no describing the joy and relief I felt seeing him sitting up and smiling, the only tubes and wires escaping him the basic ones used to monitor him, what you would expect to find on anyone after minor, not major surgery. What was most amazing was how alert he was. I can recall the aftermath of surgery for myself and I was far from that lucid less than seven hours out of the OR. He was joking, making wisecracks via my phone with our daughter and grandkids, setting me and them at ease. I crawled into bed at 10:15 p.m., ending the longest day of my life, and allowing me to get some much-needed sleep. I can’t thank God enough for getting him through this. He still has a long way to go, but he will come through it, and we will have more time together. Fifty-one years just isn’t long enough. So many people aren’t as lucky as we are.

Now, as I get ready to visit for the day, my spirits are in much better shape thanks to the relief and a good night’s sleep, I’ll be spending the afternoon at the hospital with him and working a bit tonight. Who knows, the book I’ve struggled with thanks to all the stress just may get finished after all.

Never take your loved ones for granted and cherish every second you’re given together. I know I will.